[dropcap]D[/dropcap]CU Connected has welcomed a record number of 400 students this year, meaning over 1,000 are now being educated by DCU online.
Around 280 new students attended the annual Welcome Day which provides online students with a chance to meet each other in person.
This success has not sprung out of the blue. DCU has over 30 years experience in off-campus education.
“Learning doesn’t stop at the campus gate and our DCU Connected team is committed to contributing to the University’s mission of transforming lives and societies, wherever you are,” said Director of the National Institute for Digital Learning, Dr Mark Brown.
As Ireland’s first University of Sanctuary, this year ten scholarships were offered for refugees and asylum seekers for online study.
The growing number of online students “is largely due to the flexibility that online learning offers for people to manage their busy careers, families lives, sporting commitments, and so on,” according to co-Head of the Open Education Unit, Dr James Brunton.
One DCU Connected student, Cian McManamon, has chosen to continue his postgraduate studies online in order to have the flexibility he needs for his work and sports career. McManamon recently competed for Ireland in the World University Games in Taipei.
Brunton met with DCUSU President Niall Behan during the Welcome Day “to welcome the group and help them feel part of the DCU Community”.
DCU Connected is open to anyone and everyone and shows just how many people are pursuing further education while leading busy lives. It has expanded the DCU student community internationally.
“DCU is proud of our long history of expanding access to higher education through new models of technology-enhanced learning and being connected in the digital-era goes beyond the walls of traditional classrooms,” said Brown.
Emily Sheahan